Will Be Used To Train Future Air Force Pilots In Aviation-Character-Education (A.C.E.) Solo Flight Program

The U.S. Air Force has selected Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum in Compton, CA as the primary contractor for its Aviation-Character-Education (A.C.E.) Solo Flight Program.

According to the Air Force, the program is "an inclusive, comprehensive, and low-cost solution to address the “warfighting imperative” of increased diversity and pilot shortage through deliberate development of the next generation of USAF officers prior to and shortly after commissioning."

The program provides mentorship, motivation, and multi-faceted benefits by identifying and attracting high school students, cadets, and junior officers from all demographics and backgrounds, then providing them critical tools proven to increase rates of success. A.C.E. is specifically focused on promoting and developing future USAF leaders and aviators in a holistic manner (i.e., beyond aviation knowledge) and its success centers upon robust engagement with Total Force role models and mentors.

The objective of A.C.E. is for students to receive the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and flight training needed to successfully solo an airplane, while also receiving mentorship that provides the character development and knowledge needed to succeed as a USAF or civilian aviator.

Pipistrel Master Distributor Michael Coates tells Aero-News that the program kicked off last week in Tuskegee, AL with 20 students who will progress through solo flight in about three weeks. They will be flying the Pipistrel Alpha trainer both in Tuskegee, and later when the students shift to Compton Airfield in Los Angeles. Use of the Alpha trainer was cited by the USAF as one of the reasons that Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum was selected for the program. Four Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer aircraft will be used in Tuskegee Alabama and seven Pipistrel Alpha Trainer aircraft will be used in Compton to bring 50 new Air Force students to the solo flight stage.

(Image provided by Michael Coates)

FMI: www.tamuseum.org